2006 Mitsubishi Delica — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 820 MOT tests, the 2006 Mitsubishi Delica recorded a 66.0% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.3% of the time, so this is 6.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (18.1%) and lighting & signalling (17.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, joints and rear fog lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 167 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 30.6% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 36.1% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 39.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 35.1% in 2021 to 29.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.1% | 148 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 140 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.5% | 127 |
| 4 | Brakes | 13.2% | 108 |
| 5 | Steering | 9.4% | 77 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.3% | 60 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 167 |
| 2 | Joints | 80 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 74 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 70 |
| 5 | Steering rack | 63 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 56 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 39.0% | 320 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.6% | 284 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 25.5% | 209 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.1% | 173 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.1% | 132 |
| 6 | Tyres | 14.1% | 116 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 36 | 30.6% |
| 60-90k | 129 | 33.3% |
| 90-120k | 132 | 31.8% |
| 120-150k | 128 | 30.5% |
| 150k+ | 357 | 36.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 619 | 35.5% |
| Petrol | 201 | 29.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 225 | 35.1% |
| 2022 | 178 | 34.3% |
| 2023 | 166 | 34.9% |
| 2024 | 134 | 35.1% |
| 2025 | 117 | 29.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Delica
On a 2006 Delica, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (18.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (17.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (15.5% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2006 Mitsubishi Delicas pass their MOT?
66.0% of the 820 2006 Mitsubishi Delica MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mitsubishi Delica?
Suspension, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.1%).
Does the 2006 Delica get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.6% in the 30-60k band to 36.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 820 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.